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Introduction

Six Traits Writing is a systematic approach for looking at writing one part at a time. Since writing is such a complicated activity, this approach helps many people break down the task and understand it better.

By focusing on and scoring only one trait at a time, a writer/reader can break down a complex activity like writing and make it more manageable. With practice, writers can then learn to be more critical of their own work and can make improvements in the quality of their writing.

Perhaps, more than anything else, the six traits give teachers and students a common vocabulary for talking and thinking about writing.

This web site provides an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and improving student writing based on the Six Traits Writing model.

The links on the right provide an overview of the model along with the scoring rubrics for each trait.

The real power of the site is found in the Exercises. These will give students and teachers a chance to read sample writings, rate them, and compare their ratings with ratings made by English teachers. This will provide a valuable opportunity for both students and teachers to improve their understanding of the Six Traits and, in the end, improve their own writing.

There is no charge for using this site. You can create as many accounts as you wish and share it freely with others. To use the Interactive Exercises on this site, you must have an account.